NMSP

New Mon State Party

SUMMARY

Founded: July 1958Headquarters: Ye Chaung Phya, Mon stateOperational Area: Thaton, Paung, Chaungsone, Mawlamyine, Hpa-an, Kawkareik, Kyeikmayaw, Mudon, Thanbyuzayap, Ye, Yayphyu, Three Pagoda Pass, Myeik-Dawei, and Kyar-Inn-Seik GyiEstimated strength: 800+ (2,000 reserved) Mon separatists formed the Mon Peoples Front(MPF). The group was later reformed and renamed as the New Mon State Party (NMSP).Since 1949, the eastern hills of the state (as well as portions of Thaninthayi Division) have been under NMSP control. In 1995, they agreed to a ceasefire with the Myanmar government.

The NMSP tried unsuccessfully to promote constitutional and political reform through the National Convention until 2008. Communications broke down in April, 2010 after refusing to transform into a Border Guard Force (BGF). However the situation did not deteriorate into outright armed conflict. Negotiations following reforms led to the renewal of the ceasefire agreement at the statelevel and a commitment from the government to negotiate ceasefire agreements with all nonstate armed groups before the end of 2012 so that inclusive political dialogue can commence at the Union level.

On 5 August 2009, Mon Revolution Day, the NMSP announced that it would not transformits armed wing into a Border Guard Force (BGF).

Liaison offices

NMSP's liaison offices opened in 1995 after the NMSP signed a ceasefire agreement with the SLORC. They were closed in April, 2010 after the NMSP rejected transforming into a BGF. All liaison offices reopened one day after the new ceasefire agreement on Feb. 26, 2012. (ceasefire stipulated that offices could only be opened in locations agreed by both sides)

Meetings

Preliminary meeting The party also proposed that the government announce a nationwide ceasefire and to hold a dialogue with the UNFC [United Nationalities Federal Council] to solve political problems. Other NMSP delegates: Nai Baya Lai; and Nai Hong Sar Other govt. delegates: Colonel Tun Tun Nyi of the Southeast Command; and Mon state municipal officials

2

13/11/2011

Ye Chaung Phya, NMSP headquarters

Nai Htaw Mon

5 member envoy from the Mon state Govt as peace create team (peace mediators)

Preliminary Meeting There were discussions about avoiding clashes between their respective armies, opening liaison offices and cooperating in undertaking business and development projects in the state. The talks included an agreement that both sides would inform the other side in advance if one side wanted to enter the other’s control area with weapons. Other NMSP delegates: Nai Rawsa, Nai Hong Sa Govt Delegates: former NMSP central executive member Nai Tin Aung and former central committee member Nai Soe Myint; Mon National Democratic Front central executive member Nai Thet Lwin, Dr. Min Kyi Win, Buddhist Abbot Sayadaw Bhaddanta Kaytumarlar

For National accord agreement , MPC met the NMSP at Mawlamyaing informally

8

14/01/2014

Hpa-am

Karen Arms Groups 4 and NMSP

Khinn Yee, State Minister Zaw Min and immigrations officers

Govt and Karen arms groups and NMSP meet in pha am, karen state government office. Govt explain about the nationwide census, immigration law and asking for their cooperation for census.

9

01/09/2014

Mawlamyine

NMSP

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Public consultation

Developments

Agreed: negotiation terms/process:

To start political dialogue within 45 days of ceasefire.

Allowing observers to participate in meetings.

To start political dialogue between representatives of armed national races organizations and representatives of the government after ceasefire of all armed national races organizations. In case ceasefire is not secured with all the organizations till December 2012, to start the political dialogue between representatives of the ceasefire organizations and representatives of the government.

To continue talks on national reconciliation, based on political compromises with participation of representatives of domestic national political parties and democratic forces.

To initiate procedures for prompt implementation of agreement reached in the above-mentioned dialogue.

To not extend military strength in Mon state and related areas in period of ceasefire.

To work for stability and development of education, health and social sectors of the region in coordination with respective national races armed organizations and the government as the ceasefire comes into effect.

To have the right to communicate with the public and help each others.

To have the right to communicate with domestic political parties.

To have the right to communicate with news agencies and media.

To inform the public of outcomes of political dialogue as required.

To conduct negotiation in advance in communicating with the foreign diplomats.

To release all political prisoners remaining in the prisons and to free comrades of New Mon State Party in prisons with sympathy as well.

To avoid forced labour by both sides, apart from volunteers. To solve problems of land confiscation by the Myanmar military.

Demands:

Releasing imprisoned party members including Nai Myo Thway and Nai Yekka

To hold political dialogue

Statements

January 30, 2013: The NMSP issued a statement on the intensive armed conflict in Kachin state

June 19, 2012: The NMSP has threatened to break its four-month-old ceasefire agreement with the Myanmar government if Naypyidaw fails to hold political talks with all the ethnic armed groups by the end of this year, according to the party secretary.

February 8, 2012: NMSP chairman said that the group will not sign a ceasefire with the Myanmar government while it continues to wage war against ethnic Kachins

Partnership

Nai Hong Sar, the secretary of NMSP and the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), told Mizzima in October 2011 that the NMSP wanted all discussions with the government to involve the UNFC while the government wanted to negotiate with the NMSP separately.

NMSP leaders had informal meetings with ethnic political leaders in 2012.